Hector Bellerin insists he is committed to Arsenal despite links with Barcelona return
Catalan club have been linked with a move for the Spanish right-back to bring him back to the club he left 2011
HECTOR BELLERIN has played down talk that he is set for a move away from Arsenal.
Barcelona have been linked with a move for the Spanish right-back to bring him back to the club he left 2011.
But Bellerin has now said he plans on enjoying some time off with his family before returning to North London for pre-season training.
Bellerin said: "I have a contract over there, I have to report back for pre-season and now is the time for me to just enjoy with my team-mates in Spain for a few days."
"Enjoy time with the family, have a little break and see eachother next season."
Barca have found negotiations with stubborn Arsenal difficult – and are unwilling to shell out more than £45million for the Spanish Under-21 defender, who is reportedly keen on a return to Spain.
He signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates last season, but fuelled speculation he could be heading back to Spain after reportedly buying a house in Barcelona.
His parents, who moved with him to London were also reportedly set to move in as new Barca boss Ernesto Valverde aimed to to add another full-back to his ranks.
But according to reports in Spain, the Gunners’ American majority shareholder has reportedly nipped any thoughts right-back had of moving back to boyhood club this summer firmly in the bud.
Cadena SER claim unpopular Kroenke personally spoke to Bellerin to tell him he will not be allowed to leave the club this summer, as the build for a better campaign than last.
Arsene Wenger holds all the cards in Barca negotiations as Bellerin's deal sees him tied to north London until 2023.
And Barca have even begun to plan for life without Bellerin, with talks underway with Portuguese champions Benfica this week over a move for Nelson Semedo.